Our Proposal Story: He asked, I said "Yes":
WISHING & WAITING. That was the hard part... and everyone else being in on the secret. :)
Saturday morning, the epic events started, with one surprise after another. My best friend Courtney was in town, which doesn't happen very often. Not knowing when she'd ever be BACK in town, we thought "Hell, lets' start looking at dresses!" I know, I know, some people say that's bad luck; but I knew that my boyfriend, Isaiah, and I were so deeply in love. We both knew we would be married, someday, so we went ahead and did things backwards! We booked The Great Hall, Hennepin Ave, Events by MV, and Camelot Photography, as well as Dana J Photography. This day would happen for us, and I wasn't about to let some traditional myths get in theway! I was Courtney's Maid of Honor last July, so we've known for a while, that one day, she would return the favor and be my Maid of Honor; and I always knew I would want her around, when it was time to do my dress search. So, moving forward, she made a 9am bridal appointment for me at Wedding Shoppe, Inc. in St.Paul, on Saturday, the 24th of September. This was special in and of itself, because I used to work there. I love Wedding Shoppe, Inc. & the ladies there, and Grand Avenue in St. Paul, MN is where I made many of my college memories. We checked in, and Lesley greeted us, asking if it would just be the two of us. Perky and cheerful, I immediately replied, "YEP!," but Courtney interjected... "There might be some more, SURPRISE!" I'm like, "WHO THE HECK?" Lesley asked if the surprise guest was a boy, explaining that men aren't allowed upstairs, to which Courtney replied that our mystery guest was not a male. Okay... So, now I am UBER-confused. Upstairs, I was greeted by Carolyn, who actually remembered me! I thought to myself, "Fantastic! What a good day!" We went into the bridal room, and began telling Carolyn what I like and don't like, and what I have envisioned for our shabby-chic vintage wedding theme. Carolyn suggests, "What about lace?" and I go on, saying I love it, but I cannot go without a bra on my wedding day, when just outside the door, I hear it: KNOCK KNOCK ... I wonder, "Is this my surprise... or another consultant wanting to speak with Carolyn?!" Nope. Wrong. My MOM peeks in. I stand back, jaw dropped, hands covering my mouth. I just stare and wait. After what felt like a full minute, I say, "MOM!?!?!" I have not seen my mother in THREE YEARS. Courtney says, "Surprise!!! Isaiah flew her in from Texas!" She had flown in on Thursday, which had been a secret for two whole days already! Not to mention, the months ahead of this, during which, everyone had already known she would be arriving. I never thought I'd be looking at wedding dresses with my mom, I spent the last few months preparing myself for the day I'd be a bride on the search for her perfect dress without her mother. Finally, after moments (which felt like hours) of pure shock, my mom came over to me, putting a hold on the discussion that Carolyn and I were having, for lots of hugs and lots of tears. A few moments later, some other Wedding Shoppe, Inc. ladies thanked us for involving them with such a special moment, informing us that they, too, were moved to tears! Moving forward, I tried on about ten dresses, but kept going back to THE VERY FIRST ONE. I loved it. It felt like Carolyn and Tony Bowls had met the night before and created the dress just for me. I'm pretty sure I've found my dress... with my mom and my best friend, at a lovely shop with a great consultant! Good surprise, good morning. The rest of the afternoon was spent with my mom and my boyfriend, Isaiah, looking at the Arboretum, where Isaiah had sneakily planned to take engagement photos next Sunday. Of course, I didn't know about this, yet; but he had it all planned out with Matt, from Camelot Photography, ahead of time. We were also able to go show my mom the church we had chosen, and The Great Hall, in downtown St.Paul. -- Sunday morning, September 25th 2011 --
Isaiah woke up and left early in the morning to go workout. I'm thinking "Alright, he does that every morning... so, obviously, normal." The plan was for him to come home, wake me up, and everyone would get ready to go to church, just like any other Sunday, except, this weekend, we would bring my mom along with us! While Isaiah was in the shower, I got on Facebook, to chat Courtney, and ask when she was heading back home to Bemidji. She replied, "Probably noon. Is Isaiah dragging you and mom to church?" I'm a little bummed out, 'cause, yes, we gotta go to church, so I won't see Courtney before she heads back home. In the back of my mind, I think to myself, "I don't always go with Isaiah to church, so maybe, my mom and I can just stay behind...?" But quickly remind myself, that Isaiah's parents will be at church, so it'd be good for my mom to meet them. So, church, it is. We continued to get ready, got in the car, and started driving. I'm texting my little cousin, Lexy, just going about an average Sunday morning. Once I look up, I notice something's different... I look to Isaiah and say, "This isn't the way to church..." He cleverly tells me that he heard that there's construction on I-94, so we're taking a back-way. OK, sure. Back to texting, I go. My next text to Lexy says, "We're supposed to be going to church, but this isn't the way to church. I know the way to church and this isn't it." She writes back, and says, "maybe a different church for your mom?!" ... Hmm, could be so. We park, and we're in a lot. I ask Isaiah where we're going. He says, "We're taking your mom to a different service." OK, whatevs. But then, I notice that we're in downtown Minneapolis, at Seven Corners. I see purple everywhere. I know my mom likes the Vikings, while Isaiah and I are huge Packer fans (his dad used to play for the Packers). I stop in my tracks, and say, "ISAIAH. I AM NOT GOING TO A VIKING GAME!" He laughs, and says, "Come on." Turning the corner, there isn't much around, but I see the sign for The Southern Theater. He turns inside, and I follow. Isaiah tells me that there's a special guest speaker. I ask if he's the guest speaker, knowing he loves to speak, and speaks at a lot of events. He replied that it's not him. I head into the theater, following my mom and Isaiah. It's brick. It's dark. I'm like, "Oh boy." ... I don't like it. I don't wanna go in. Isaiah grabs my hand, and sits me down, front and center. He hands my mom a chunk of papers, and yells up to the top "HEY EVERYBODY!" I look around... there's no one here... Who is "everybody"? Where is everybody? A few minutes later, all of the people that I love most come from the top of the theater, towards me. And still, I literally couldn't even imagine what was going on; even though I have been waiting for so long! Best friends, our friend and wedding photographer, Dana, my parents, his parents, uncles, friends of friends. This is everyone I love. Everyone who is near and dear to my heart. Hailing from all over the United States, from Minnesota to Texas. Isaiah rented a theater, and got them all here for what was about to happen. Busy hugging everyone, Isaiah sneaks off, and I can't find him. Courtney is the last to hug me, and she whispers in my ear "This is it!" and takes a seat behind me. Front and center, I sit down and watch the stage before me.Cue Music. Cue Isaiah.
Over the past few weeks, when I thought Isaiah was "working out" or "going to visit his parents," he was really planning this moment. Weeks prior, he went to my dad's house, where they chatted over breakfast, as Isaiah asked for his blessing to take my hand in marriage. Isaiah met with a music-savvy friend, and wrote a song, adding some guitar and music, then put it onto a CD. The first song played, was the one Isaiah wrote and sang for me. He danced during the entire song. He later told me, that during our nights of watching So You Think You Can Dance season 8, he knew he wanted to create a dance for me, because that is my passion. At the end of the song, Isaiah kneeled down on one knee and popped the question: "Sarah, Will You Marry Me?" Tears. Tears from me. Tears from those who sat behind me. Happy giggling and happy laughter. I, of course, said "YES!" and afterwards, Marry Me, by Train, was the next song on the CD. Everyone echoed with cheers and applause. Pictures and hugs, all around. Dana was there to capture every moment. Deb was there to videograph the whole thing. After the theater emptied, Isaiah and I went to Afton Apple Orchard, with Dana and her husband. I couldnt have had a better "Sunday Funday" with a more perfect man. I couldn't have dreamed of a better proposal story. Below are the Lyrics that Isaiah wrote & sang:Verse 1:
It's amazing how a song can make you think of someone dear
You hear the chorus and smile, or maybe shed a tear
But when you know a song is just for you, it's something else
Since you friended me on facebook, I've been beside myself
I'm happy that you found me, and thought you'd say "hello"
United by the best team, green and yellow, green and yellow
The timing was just perfect, a beginning and an end
And now, I'm so lucky, to be lovin' my best friend.
CHORUS:
I wanna give you my name, I wanna give you my name
Girl, I hope it shows!
I wanna give you a ring, I wanna give you a ring
So everybody knows!
(Repeat)
Verse 2:
Bless the broken road, that led me straight to you
There was destiny entagled, in all that we went through,
Thank you to your past, that brought you to today,
Now it's all about the future, and that's all I've got to say
If there isn't trust, what's a relationship to be?
I never thought a key, could mean so much to me.
Flowers, bows, and elephants, and old antiquey things,
Patience, love and partnership, and a big, pink, fancy ring
CHORUS:
I wanna give you my name, I wanna give you my name
Girl, I hope it shows!
I wanna give you a ring, I wanna give you a ring
So everybody knows!
(Repeat)
Bridge:
I've learned to speak your language, so they can't buy my time
Your legs must be tired, cuz your running through my mind
I know the time each day,when you always make a wish
And then on our big day, we'll be anxious for that kiss
You finally found a Good-man, you can turn that page
If I ever get the nerves, to come across this stage
CHORUS:
I wanna give you my name, I wanna give you my name
Girl, I hope it shows!
I wanna give you a ring, I wanna give you a ring
So everybody knows!
(Repeat 2x)
~~
Thanks for submitting your proposal story, Sarah!
Be sure to leave some love for her and her fiancé in the comments below, for her chance to win a pair of Twin City Bridal Association Wedding Fair tickets! The winner will be announced on October 3rd, 2011. Best of luck, Sarah!
To view the complete rules of our TCBA Wedding Fair ticket giveaway, please read our post: Twin City Bridal Association Wedding Fair Ticket Giveaway, on My Wedding Chat. For more information on the Twin City Bridal Association Wedding Fair, please visit The Wedding Fair on the TCBA website. Wedding Shoppe Inc. is your "One Stop Wedding Shoppe" - offering hundreds of designer bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, bridal party dresses, and much more! Stop by, and visit us at this yearâs October Wedding Fair, on October 9th, 2011.
I just got married – in a complete different way and it was wonderful, awesome… well you name it! Just the way I or we! wanted it!
But, Sarah – seriously – I am now feeling so nervous – I think I couldn’t have been more nervous at my own wedding!!! I am already keeping my fingers crossed, that all will be the way you and Isaiah wish for!
Wow! And even though things were kinda planned in advance, how awesome you guys can still keep secrets and surprise each other!!! Keep that! It’s a wonderful habit – being so honest and sharing and caring. But still be able to surprise the loved one! That keeps it alive, I believe!
Well, I am looking forward reading about the process! It’s very exiting!
Finally the day will arrive, it’s gonna be the best day ever! Try not to stress yourself – but then somehow you guys seem to be so happy together that nothing will really happen and worry you as long as you two have each other… That big day and any other day that will follow!!
I am happy for you!
Enjoy every day till the big moment!
xx
P.S. Daggi – you must be soo happy! I am happy for you you were there!
While I wish I were talented enough to write a poem as sweet and as touching as those written above, I would like to share the lyrics of our wedding song, “Lucky”:
Do you hear me,
I’m talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I’m trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard
I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
They don’t know how long it takes
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss
I’ll wait for you I promise you, I will
I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we’re in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday
And so I’m sailing through the sea
To an island where we’ll meet
You’ll hear the music fill the air
I’ll put a flower in your hair
Though the breezes through trees
Move so pretty you’re all I see
As the world keeps spinning round
You hold me right here right now
I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I’m lucky we’re in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday
SO happy that you found your best friend. Hold him close!
To:Sarah and Isaiah
Im happy for the both of you for Isaiah to let it out and say will you mary me? With sweet down his fase and joy wen she sede yes. Wen I saw Sarahs teers going down her face I gest now she was redy and happy to say yes and I now she loves him vary much.
Typed by mom just how she wrote it! She loves you guys!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO
Sarahâs entire life she has
danced for others to enjoy;
Dancing was her passion,
excitement, her joy.
So what better way for Isaiah to
propose then for- He would dance.
A young man with so many attributes,
Yet none compare to his love and devotion for Sarah
and their romance.
Not only does he dance in her heart each
and every day,
But the extremes he took to make
this proposal the most genuine, unique and memorable goes without say.
With a lot of thought and many hours
of practice,
Isaiah created nothing
short of fantastic!
As we, their families and friends sat
watching from our seats,
There was not a dry eye
in the place to say the least.
The love to dance,
what once was Sarahâs life-
Now, Isaiah danced just for her- asking
if she would be his wife.
With that amazing Isaiah smile
that lit up the entire place,
Along with the sweat dripping
down his face.
Looking deep in her eyes and
down on bended knee;
Isaiah opened the box for us
all to see.
Obviously, as you can guess,
without hesitation Sarah said YES!
And with that Isaiah placed on her
finger the most beautiful ring.
As we all watched blinded by tears
and the bright BLING-BLING!!!
Congratulations to you both! Love you very much!!!!!
so thought out and filled with love! These two deserve all the happiness in the world!
Wow! Quite a special engagement proposal for a very special gal. Love you Sarah and wish you and Isaiah a continued fairytale and Live Happily Ever After! GOD BLESS!
I am one of the bridesmaids and let me tell YOU, i was balling the whole time. From the second she saw us walk down the stairs till the moment we left the theater- nothing but tears. Sarah is so deserving of such a wonderful moment. I can’t wait to be a part of her wedding. I know it’s gonna be FAB!!!
p.s. Like I told her, my bouquet will be laced with tissues :)
An amazing story indeed! Gongrats to the proud papa (Gregg). Both you, Sarah, and Isaiah, exemplify deep gratitude and the quality of concern for family demonstrated by how you each follow through in practical ways. How many guys still ask a girl’s father for his daughter’s hand? let alone fly her mother in from out of town? and a girl who was torn between going to church and leaving her best friend behind during her last day in town, but who decided to go anyway thinking it was the right time for your mom to meet his parents? You both put others before yourselves and that should be a great foundation for a beautiful married life together. “Twin Cities Live” would have loved to have been at the theater to televise Isaiah’s heartfelt and well-written song and the full circle of family and friends who shared such a rare moment. Chivalry is alive and well in your generation! Best continued wishes.
Congratulations!!
The story that I am about to tell,
some of you don’t know so well.
Although her dreams are finally real,
Sarah’s been planning for this a great deal.
We thought she was crazy, âcuz she took a chance
On planning a wedding so far in advance
She didnât care if they werenât engaged
She tore through the mags with a passionate rage
She looked at dresses, hair, makeup and shoes
She picked out her bridesmaids â his groomsmen too!
The colors of choice are Navy and Pink
A shabby, chic wedding is perfect, she thinks
She booked the Church, the Music, the Hall
Those she had told had been appalled.
Who plans a wedding after only some months?
Whoever this guy is, she surely must trust.
Even though she had picked out a ring
Isaiah hadn’t told her one little thing
About the day he was to ask for her hand
Even though his secrets were grand
Fly mom in from Texas, rent out a stage
This proposal would be all the rage
But Sarah had not even a clue
So she continued to plan until her dream came true
Meanwhile, Isaiah let her friends and family know
That on the twenty-fifth, there would be a show
We were to be at the theatre at quarter to ten
And watch the big performance within
He wrote her a song, and did a dance
That was filled our hearts with his romance
For our little Sarah, and then it was shown
How his love for her has abundantly grown
He proved to us, that he would take care
Of the woman that now we all have to share
Even though I live 4 hours away,
I never could imagine missing that day.
I am so thankful she finally found
The one who will always be around
This is where my story will end
About the engagement of my best friend.
And even though she keeps saying âmaidâ
Itâs her âmatronâ of honor who went on this tirade
To win us some tickets to the fair
I thought this poem would give us some flair.
I hope you both look back on your engagement day, and find it to be the day you loved each other the LEAST.
Have a great life together, you both deserve it!!
Olivia
Amazing! Every woman should get this treatment! Congratulations!!
Congratulations!
Sarah is one of the sweetest little peanuts I’ve ever known. She has a heart of gold & deserves nothing but the best! I am so glad she met the man of her dreams…who proposed in one of the most romantic & unique ways AND who has great taste! Have you seen her ROCK?!? Congratulations Cutie Pie – may your special day & future together be full of love, joy & MUCH happiness!
Congratulations! I am very happy and excited for the both of you. :)
I went to Concordia with Sarah…since finding her love I have been a “fan,” or facebook creeper lol of her relationship because something about it was unlike other post and pics of normal relationships you see. EVERY photo that has been posted displayed happiness and friendship. Every tweet about her “Good-man” seeemed so genuine and real. I dont consider myself a romantic…but this story is Beautiful and brings me to happy tears at work as I share an inspiring love with my co-workers :)
Isaiah and Sarah deserve the world!
This is awesome! Congrats to both of you =)
Wow, way to set the bar high! Congrats!!
Such a creative proposal! Congrats to you both!
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww BEST WEDDING EVER!!!!!…..Isaiah should upload a Best Methods on Wedding Proposals
Love the pic in the chair! (minus the packer shirt)
What an amazing story! So cute – you’re both so lucky!
awww…how wonderful. that’s a fairy tale story
What a great story! Isaiah must be a heck of a showman.
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations to both of you! Never seen two happier people! :-)
cute!
You guys look so cute! You look like you two were meant to be together. I can’t wait to the video of the proposal.
It is a rare thing to find two people so devoted to one another. This is such a one-of-a-kind proposal, which is fitting for such a unique and wonderful couple. What a blessing to know this couple and witness this love! Plus⊠think of the beautiful milky babies that they will have!
It is a rare thing to find two people so devoted to one another. This is such a one-of-a-kind proposal, which is fitting for such a unique and wonderful couple. What a blessing to know this couple and witness this love! Plus… think of the beautiful milky babies that they will have! :)
To find ones true soul mate is very rare. These two have accomplished that task. They are without a doubt a fairy tale come true!!! Walt disney couldn’t even come close to this one. I feel blessed to have been included in the BIG event- not a dry eye to be seen in the theater that day. It was the most moving,emotional,uplifting experience. They are two of the most special people in my life and I am so grateful. Love you both to the moon and back!!!
Sounds like a perfect day. Congratulations! (Go Pack Go!)
Hi all the best wishes for both of you fron Good OLD GERMANY so happy for both of you :-)
I am a friend of the sweetest little bride in the world. I think I have known my little SarahSam for 5 years now. After searching high and low, she has truely found her Prince Charming. I have watched there relationship unfold on facebook and I am always amazed at the love that Isaiah shows her. Some women have waited a lifetime to experience what Sarah has and continues to experience……heck…..some are still waiting (me me me!!) I can’t think of anyone who is more desiring of this special day! Love you little one!!!!!
I don’t know the couple, but theirs is a great story. Congratulations to the families.
Congrats to both and to Isaiah for pulling off a great story. I am happy I was able to read all about it! I know you will have a wonderful life.
When i first heard of the plan behind this proposal of Isaiah’s i was very curious to see what this young man was up to. As the time got closer in days to this event, i was trully excited to be a part of this huge event in Sarah & Isaiaha’s young lives. (Sarah has been very near & dear to my heart for most of her life and i can’t say enough about the impression that Isaiah has had on me in a short time). As i sat in awe of the performance that he displayed for Sarah’s hand in marriage, i thought to myself how times have really changed. I thought that getting on a knee after a nervous dinner was enough to make me faint, but Isaiah thought, planned & carried out something that would make most men…well…you know!!
Congrats to the two of you, i love you both so very much!
This was truely an original and very creative way to get proposed to. Isaiah did such a fabulous job and so much love and thought went into this event and not just the moment of the proposal. I could not be happier and more at ease about the thought of letting go and watching my baby girl walk down life’s road. You kids are the best thing about this crazy game called Life and you both are so very beautiful!! Love you
Words can not explain how I feel about today. A father anticipates this day and hopes his little girl has found someone special. You exceed all my thoughts and expectations a father wants for his daughter! I strongly feel that you both have been blessed. Now my special one and only has a special man to compliment her! I thank you for what and how you handeled this happiest of days.
I am the Mother of the Bride and it was everything but easy to keep the Surprise from Sarah.
Flying from Texas to Mn… spendy
Weather in MN…too cold
and the look on Sarah’s face when she saw me…PRICELESS.
Isaiah is the best for her and im a happy mother. Love you two!
Mom